In terms of resort tourism, the Western Visayas has provided a sizeable contribution to national coffers.
Negros Occidental boasts resorts in Sipalay City, Cadiz City, along with smaller ones throughout the province. In Panay, there is no arguing Boracay, located in Aklan, has brought much recognition to the region by bringing in tourists from around the world – with those visitors comes billions in revenue.
It is sad to see the abuses of the past have put the popular destination in a grim scenario. Political nincompoops never cared for the island’s environment and merely used local resources for personal gains – who can claim this is not true?
If local politicians knew how to take care of their “baby,” the island would not have reached the mess it is in now – as President Rodrigo Duterte tagged as a “cesspool.”
Do not blame the president – instead, thank him. Through his political will, those responsible will be held accountable for the destruction they allowed to happen.
Local government officials are the first to blame, they never care as long as money came in – either to the municipality or their pockets.
With the president angry at the situation, environmental agency personnel, those who gave clearance to violators, should be punished. They are also responsible for destroying the “biggest swimming pool in the world” – Mr. President, do not spare them!
However, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is not to blame as they merely market tourist attractions and does not control local politicians or other government agencies.
With Boracay facing a grim future under Duterte’s ire, what will happen to the earnings that contribute greatly to tourism revenues? It is said the island will be closed, which is sad, but has to be done.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and DOT could possibly take on a “sectionalized” approach, where every station will be closed in phases, but not a total closure. A complete shutdown would not be fair to resorts that have abided by environmental policies.
There is a 150-hectare tourism estate, not resort, located on the other side of the island. The establishment, which includes a golf course, is said to be a model of sustainable development and DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo has already paid a visit.
The locale, called Boracay Newcoast, has already acquired many investors from commercial and boutique hotel, knowing it is a place well-equipped for sustainable growth.
Workers and residents of Boracay are not happy with news suggesting the island will be closed and government agencies should realize a complete closure is not good for tourism. However, six months is not enough and there needs to be sensible method of improving the environmental situation.
If a shutdown indeed occurs, there will be a full-blown marketing campaign from competing locations, such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, that would attract tourist to alternative destinations outside the Philippines.
***
This column greets Charles Lim, Linus Jimenez, Doc Herm Javellana, Ben Lopez, Jr., JB Mapa, George Anthony Jardiolin, Gerard Tupas, Tony Cacho, Apollo Santos, Ella Ayangco, BJ Enerio, and Jade Durango./WDJ